DSS arrests NLC president, Joe Ajaero, at Abuja airport

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has been reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The arrest occurred this morning at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Ajaero was reportedly about to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official engagement when the DSS took him. Preliminary information suggests that he has been transferred to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The reasons behind the detention remain unclear, although Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the UK today.

This incident follows recent tensions between Ajaero and security agencies. On August 20, he had responded to an invitation from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police Force, after a summons issued on August 19 threatened his arrest for non-compliance.

Through his legal representative, Femi Falana (SAN), Ajaero had communicated his inability to attend on the initially specified date, promising to appear on August 29 to address allegations including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, and treasonable felony.

Ajaero, accompanied by Falana and other legal and Labour representatives, did attend the Force Headquarters as promised. However, less than a day later, the Police issued another summons for Ajaero and NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5.

DSS hinted it would go covert in public speaking last week. However, an Operational phone number of the agency 09153391310 was called and the officer who picked the call urged this reporter to call back in 15 minutes time for confirmation.